Biman receives second Dreamliner

Staff Correspondent
Biman Bangladesh Airlines took ownership of a second Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner at Seattle Everett Delivery Center from manufacturer company Boeing in the United States, on Friday.
Biman’s director (flight operation) received the Boeing keys from Boeing Director, John Barber.
To receive the Boeing, a delegation of 32 members including from the board of directors, executive directors and other officials arrived in the US, and Boeing organized a dinner for them.
Bangladesh Ambassador Zia Uddin, present on the occasion said, US and Bangladesh have a deep commercial relationship which will grow stronger if direct flights between the two countries start again. We hope Boeing will support us, he added.
Meanwhile, after a nonstop 15 and a half-hour flight from Seattle City’s Penfield Airport in the United States, the second Boeing 787-7 latest technology aircraft ‘Dreamliner’ is to reach Bangladesh today.
Bangladesh Biman’s General Manager (public relations) confirming the matter to journalists said, the manufacturing company, Boeing handed over ownership of the second Dreamliner , following which the aircraft set out on its journey towards Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.
This is the second aircraft following the first Dreamliner on August 19 this year, and with the addition of the second Dreamliner, Biman Bangladesh will have a total of 15 aircraft in its fleet, he added.
Biman will be able to increase its flight frequency once the aircraft is added to the fleet, and Biman plans to increase flights to London and Dammam, said Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mosaddik Ahmed.
He said, the Boeing will be operated on the Dhaka-London route six days a week, four days on the Dhaka-Dammam and three days on the Dhaka- Bangkok routes.
Retired Air Marshal Inamul Bari, Chairman, Biman Board of Directors said, the Dreamliner would add new dimension to travel safety and increase operational skill. The 185 feet long aircraft can fly 16 hours non-stop and will consume 20 per cent less aviation fuel.
The Dreamliner will provide its passengers with wifi services at a height of 43,000 feet, allowing passengers to browse the internet or connect with their friends and family at any end of the world.
The 271-seat Boeing 787-8 has been designed to be 20 percent more fuel efficient than the other aircraft. The aircraft also offers in-flight entertainment system where the passengers will enjoy their favourite movies, songs, real-time streaming of different TV channels, and also have an opportunity to play videogames. Moreover, access to e-shopping will add to their unlimited delight.
In 2008, Biman Bangladesh Airlines signed a US$2.1 billion agreement with Boeing to purchase 10 new aircraft, of which this one will be the eight. At present, Biman has six Boeing 777-300 ER, two 737-800, one Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, and the remaining three are Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner one of which will be added in December.
To reduce noise in the Dreamliner, Chevron Technology has been used. It is light because of composite materials, its 56 meters in height from the ground. Wingspan is 197 feet. Total weight of the aircraft is 1.18 lakh kilograms. There are 23 lakh pieces of equipment in the aircraft.
Moreover, Biman has agreement with 25 satellites, which will allow passengers to make phone calls if they have roaming facilities available in their phones.
The remaining two aircraft are to join Biman’s fleet by September next year.